Classification and Predication in Data Mining
Classification and Predication in Data Mining
There are two forms of data analysis that can be used to extract models describing important
classes or predict future data trends. These two forms are as follows:
1. Classification
2. Prediction
What is Classification?
Classification is to identify the category or the class label of a new observation. First, a set of data is used as
training data. The set of input data and the corresponding outputs are given to the algorithm. So, the training data
set includes the input data and their associated class labels. Using the training dataset, the algorithm derives a
model or the classifier. The derived model can be a decision tree, mathematical formula, or a neural network. In
classification, when unlabeled data is given to the model, it should find the class to which it belongs. The new
data provided to the model is the test data set.
Classification is the process of classifying a record. One simple example of classification is to check
whether it is raining or not. The answer can either be yes or no. So, there is a particular number of
choices. Sometimes there can be more than two classes to classify. That is called multiclass
classification.
1. Origin: It produces sensitive data in various formats, with emails, Excel, Word, Google documents,
social media, and websites.
2. Role-based practice: Role-based security restrictions apply to all delicate data by tagging based on in-
house protection policies and agreement rules.
3. Storage: Here, we have the obtained data, including access controls and encryption.
4. Sharing: Data is continually distributed among agents, consumers, and co-workers from various devices
and platforms.
5. Archive: Here, data is eventually archived within an industry's storage systems.
6. Publication: Through the publication of data, it can reach customers. They can then view and download
in the form of dashboards.
What is Prediction?
Another process of data analysis is prediction. It is used to find a numerical output. Same as in
classification, the training dataset contains the inputs and corresponding numerical output values. The
algorithm derives the model or a predictor according to the training dataset. The model should find a
numerical output when the new data is given. Unlike in classification, this method does not have a
class label. The model predicts a continuous-valued function or ordered value.
Regression is generally used for prediction. Predicting the value of a house depending on the facts
such as the number of rooms, the total area, etc., is an example for prediction.
1. Data Cleaning: Data cleaning involves removing the noise and treatment of
missing values. The noise is removed by applying smoothing techniques, and the problem of missing
values is solved by replacing a missing value with the most commonly occurring value for that attribute.
2. Relevance Analysis: The database may also have irrelevant attributes. Correlation analysis is used to
know whether any two given attributes are related.
3. Data Transformation and reduction: The data can be transformed by any of the following methods.
o Normalization: The data is transformed using normalization. Normalization involves scaling
all values for a given attribute to make them fall within a small specified range. Normalization
is used when the neural networks or the methods involving measurements are used in the
learning step.
o Generalization: The data can also be transformed by generalizing it to the higher concept.
For this purpose, we can use the concept hierarchies.
Classification is the process of identifying which category a Predication is the process of identifying the missing or
new observation belongs to based on a training data set unavailable numerical data for a new observation.
containing observations whose category membership is
known.
In classification, the accuracy depends on finding the class In prediction, the accuracy depends on how well a given
label correctly. predictor can guess the value of a predicated attribute for
new data.
In classification, the model can be known as the classifier. In prediction, the model can be known as the predictor.
A model or the classifier is constructed to find the A model or a predictor will be constructed that predicts a
categorical labels. continuous-valued function or ordered value.
For example, the grouping of patients based on their For example, We can think of prediction as predicting
medical records can be considered a classification. the correct treatment for a particular disease for a person
Decision tree
Decision is used on wide range of problems. Decision tree cells are formed by splitting each dimension into random
number of evenly spaced partitions. A variable of interest such as, response rate, experience, or average order size,
is measured for each cell. New records are scored by determining which cell they belong to.
Decision trees use two techniques. A top-down approach recursively splits data into smaller and smaller cells with
similar values based on target variable. The degree to which a cell has similar values is known as purity of the cell.
Each cell in decision tree is treated independently and new split for a particular cell is found using algorithm that
tests splits based on all available variables of interest. A decision tree is used for variable selection as well as for
building models or classifiers.
Other technique is a bottom-up approach. In it a decision tree uses the target variable to determine how input to
decision tree should be partitioned. Decision tree then breaks the data into segments using the split rules at each
step, and rules for all segments taken together form the decision tree classifier. Rules are expressed using simple
English. Rules are then expressed using database query language to retrieve or score similar records. Decision tree
based models can be used for data mining tasks like classification, estimation, or prediction.
Decision Tree Induction
Decision Tree is a supervised learning method used in data mining for classification and regression
methods. It is a tree that helps us in decision-making purposes. The decision tree creates classification
or regression models as a tree structure. It separates a data set into smaller subsets, and at the same
time, the decision tree is steadily developed. The final tree is a tree with the decision nodes and leaf
nodes. A decision node has at least two branches. The leaf nodes show a classification or decision.
We can't accomplish more split on leaf nodes-The uppermost decision node in a tree that relates to the
best predictor called the root node. Decision trees can deal with both categorical and numerical data.
Entropy:
The concept is used to find the disorder present in the given dataset. In simple terms, we can say that
Entropy tells the impurity present in the dataset. It determines the best splits for partitioning data.
Information Gain:
It is used to find the changes in Entropy after splitting the dataset based on attributes. It is used to tell
how much information an attribute can provide us about the class. We choose the feature that directs
to the most significant reduction in Entropy, as it provides more information.
Information Gain can be calculated with the help of the following formula:
Decision trees are equipped to handle both numerical and categorical data through different methodologies for each data type. For numerical data, decision trees typically use threshold-based splits, dividing data into intervals based on the value distributions—this often involves selecting split points that optimize separation using metrics like variance for regression or impurity for classification . With categorical data, decision trees evaluate potential splits by calculating measures of purity or information gain to decide how categories should be grouped . Decision trees integrate these methodologies within the same model, creating versatile classification or regression structures that can process complex datasets with varied data types efficiently.
Decision trees offer significant benefits, such as interpretability and simplicity. Their structure allows easy explanation to non-technical stakeholders, which is an advantage over complex algorithms like SVMs or neural networks . Decision trees handle missing values effectively, often splitting based on available data without extensive preprocessing, unlike algorithms requiring complete datasets . However, they also face limitations, including susceptibility to overfitting, especially with deep trees, and can be less accurate than ensemble methods like random forests that mitigate these shortcomings by averaging multiple trees. Thus, decision trees are ideal for situations requiring clarity and speed, but not always the preferred choice when highest accuracy is paramount and data complexity is high.
Sentiment analysis and image classification are prime examples of the application of classification algorithms but involve unique challenges. Sentiment analysis applies classification to interpret social media data by categorizing text based on sentiments, requiring models that handle misspelled words and complex language structures . It emphasizes accuracy and rapid processing as data volume is high. Image classification, alternatively, deals with labeling images based on trained categories like captions or themes. It requires dealing with visual data complexities, requiring models that can process pixel data into meaningful features . Both applications illustrate the adaptability of classification algorithms across different data types but require models tuned to the specific challenges of text and image data.
Classification and prediction are both forms of data analysis used in data mining, but they serve different purposes and thus require different methods. Classification involves identifying the category or class label of new observations based on a training dataset with known category memberships. It relies on models like decision trees, mathematical formulas, or neural networks that can classify data into categorical labels . Prediction, on the other hand, focuses on estimating missing or unavailable numerical data for new observations. It often utilizes regression techniques to predict continuous values rather than categorical labels . The choice of method hinges on whether the outcome to predict is categorical (classification) or numerical (prediction), which influences the algorithm selection and model evaluation strategies.
Constructing a decision tree for classification and regression involves different objectives. For classification, the tree is built to separate data into categories, leading to leaf nodes representing class labels. It uses measures like Gini impurity or entropy to determine splits . In regression, decision trees aim to model data to predict continuous outcomes, using measures like variance reduction at each split to assess splits rather than purity metrics . These differences affect the utility of the models; classification decision trees are useful for tasks requiring categorical outputs, while regression trees are valuable for predicting numerical outcomes. Consequently, the choice between them depends on the nature of the target variable to ensure proper model application and evaluation.
In decision tree construction, top-down approaches start by recursively splitting the dataset into smaller subsets using criteria like information gain until optimal or until data cannot be split further . This approach is intuitive and aligns with the natural hierarchical decision-making process, offering clarity and simplicity in building trees. Its disadvantage is potential for overfitting, especially with small or noisy data. In contrast, bottom-up approaches work in reverse by initially considering end nodes and merging them based on criteria until reaching a stable classification point . While bottom-up is less intuitive and can be computationally expensive, it's advantageous in pruning and reducing overfitting by focusing on data cohesion before finalizing splits, making it effective in scenarios with diverse initial data points.
Information gain is pivotal in the creation of decision trees as it helps determine the most informative splits by measuring the reduction in entropy after a dataset is partitioned based on a specific attribute. It quantifies how much a particular attribute contributes to making information about the class label clearer, thus helping to select splits that result in the most informative and purest subgroups . Attributes that offer high information gain are chosen to split the dataset because they best discriminate between different classes, leading to a more accurate and efficient decision tree. This makes information gain crucial for ensuring the decision tree's structure is optimal for classification tasks, directly influencing model performance and interpretability.
Data preparation steps such as data cleaning and transformation are crucial for the effectiveness of classification and prediction algorithms as they directly affect the quality of input data. Data cleaning removes noise and addresses missing values, ensuring the algorithms have accurate and complete data to work with, which can significantly improve model accuracy . Data transformation, which includes techniques like normalization and generalization, modifies data into suitable formats, ensuring uniformity that enhances algorithm performance. For example, normalization helps in scenarios involving neural networks by scaling data to a uniform range . Efficient preparation leads to more reliable models with better generalization capabilities across varied datasets, affecting the robustness of both classification and prediction outputs.
Data relevance analysis in preparing data for classification and prediction involves distinguishing useful attributes from irrelevant ones, which poses challenges primarily related to high-dimensional data and potential noise. A major challenge is that irrelevant attributes can dilute the predictive power of models and lead to overfitting . Solutions involve utilizing correlation analysis to identify relationships among attributes, filtering out those that do not contribute significantly to model performance. This relevancy check can be integrated into feature selection techniques during preprocessing, ensuring that the dataset retains only impactful attributes, streamlining the model training process and enhancing predictive accuracy by maintaining focus on correlatively significant data.
The data classification lifecycle is significant in business as it provides a structured approach to managing data flow, from origin to deletion, ensuring consistent data security and compliance. By implementing role-based practices and security tagging during data storage and sharing, organizations can enforce stringent access controls, thus enhancing data protection . It guides businesses in maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements by systematically categorizing and handling sensitive information, ensuring confidentiality and integrity throughout data processing stages. This structured lifecycle also aids in minimizing risks associated with data breaches, ultimately supporting organizational trust and reliability in handling client and proprietary data securely.